The State and Science: The Politics of High Technology Industrial Policy at the State Level

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This is a study of the science and technology policies of six American states that differ in the level of their industrialization and the size of their science and technology base. The investigators will conduct interviews and collect documents for case study analysis of both antecedents and effects of policies in New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Washington, California, and Rhode Island. Hypotheses identify several factors that may favor development of science and technology policy: predisposing structural conditions, economic transformation and stress, state political capacity, business leaders, involvement of the mass public, and state governor initiative. Factors that may oppose development of science and technology policy are: individualistic or traditional political culture, traditional businesses, labor unions, minority and community groups, agricultural and rural interests, elements of the mass public, state legislators, and state economic development agencies. This study will provide many insights of value for policy makers in the areas of science, technology and economic development. It will also contribute to our understanding of regional differences within the United States, and to the role that central institutions of society play in determining state's responses to the challenges and opportunities created by rapidly- changing science and technology.